Watching live images of Obama arriving in South Africa. Obama has stated he will not seek a “photo-op” with Mandela and will respect his family’s wishes.
""I don’t need a photo op," he said aboard Air Force One after leaving Senegal. “The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned with Nelson Mandela’s condition.”
He went on to say: “I think the main message we’ll want to deliver is not directly to him, but to his family – is simply profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, and that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him, his family and his country.”"
Watching live images of Obama arriving in South Africa. Obama has stated he will not seek a “photo-op” with Mandela and will respect his family’s wishes.
""I don’t need a photo op," he said aboard Air Force One after leaving Senegal. “The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned with Nelson Mandela’s condition.”
He went on to say: “I think the main message we’ll want to deliver is not directly to him, but to his family – is simply profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, and that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him, his family and his country.”"